back in the day (october 7, 1542, to be exact) the island was called Pimu, and people had been living there for about 7,000 years.

things stayed quiet until November 24, 1602, when a second spanish galley came up the coast on an exploratory mission from mexico. that day, the second day of visitation from the western world, two ravens were shot. this was a rather distressing sight to the tongva tribe, who worshipped these black birds. that same day the first catholic mass was held.

thus the hell of the western world began its ascent.

but until then things were like you'd expect: swimming, fishing, paddling around, some limited sailing. and, most of all, none of them nasty diseases from afar.

i bought a boat 12 months ago (or part of a boat, anyway, since i'm still paying for it). an ericson 38' sloop. she's called Blue Goose. i sail her when i can, when i'm home. but being in LA is not always my idea of a good time so this week i sailed it out west, to Santa Catalina Island.

the trip out was relatively rough. not by dutch standards, but by californian standards. it took me almost two days to be able to fully close my hands. my tendons were not accustomed.

we got in a bit after sunset, and fell asleep, exhausted.

and so passed the days, blurry with sleep, then sharp with light, then blurry from rum, then sharp from the cold blue waters that embrace this simple land with the cleanliness that is just out of reach of the toxic city so nearby.

mostly i spent a lot of time swimming.

things were like you'd expect: swimming, fishing, paddling around, lots of sailing.
and, most of all, none of them nasty diseases from afar.